Sochi's Olympic opening ceremony
Russia's Winter Olympics officially got underway on Friday on the Black Sea coast with a burst of fireworks and an extravagant opening ceremony.
President Vladimir Putin has staked his reputation on hosting a safe and successful Games in the resort town of Sochi, where a high-octane show before 40,000 spectators signalled the start of the costliest Olympics in history.
Fireworks explode over the Olympic Park.
A scene from the ceremony depicts Russia's early history.
The Russian flag flies as the stadium is lit up in the country's red, blue and white.
Performers march through fog and swing from ropes during the opening ceremony.
Actors perform underneath snowflakes that were meant to unfurl into the five Olympic rings. All but one opened up during the show.
A performer dances to Swan Lake, a ballet written by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Ballerinas dance to Swan Lake.
Participants perform amid simulated snowfall during the opening ceremony.
Illuminated figures, representing winter sports, glide through the air.
A host of ballerinas dance at the Fisht Stadium.
Prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova performs with other dancers at the ceremony.
The mascots of the Sochi Olympics, a hare on skis, a polar bear wearing ice skates, and a leopard riding a snowboard take part in the ceremony.
Social realist statues and symbols of the communist Soviet Union, formed part of the show.
Actors use props to illustrate Russia's era of industrialisation.
Canada's flag-bearer Hayley Wickenheiser of the women's hockey team, leads her country's contingent during the athlete's parade.
Russia's athletes smile as they march.
U.S. team members march and wave during the parade.
Competitors from a number of different countries watch the ceremony.
The Olympic and Russian flags are raised side by side.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach of Germany, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin stand together during the ceremony.
An Interior Ministry official detains a gay rights activist attempting to hold a protest rally near the Kremlin in Red Square, one of several such demonstrations in Moscow and St Petersburg.
Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova carries the Olympic Torch as the ceremony reaches its final stage.
Former hockey player Vladislav Tretiak and figure skater Irina Rodnina light the Olympic cauldron, marking the beginning of the Games.
